Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians donated $2,500 to support the wounded golden retriever mix

Receive the latest local updates in your inbox

Dr. Cauble reviews Chance's latest X-rays with him. Had the bullet which punctured the dog's lungs strayed a half-inch up or down, it would have cut his Aorta of Vena Cava, and he would have bled to death in less than a minute, according to a post on the County Animal Services' Facebook.

X-Rays from a dog found shot on the side of a East County road show that the bullet was just half-an-inch away from puncturing his heart and killing him almost instantly.

Chance the golden retriever mix was nursed back to health last week after a woman spotted him wounded on Viejas Grande Rd. and called Animal Services.

Chance had a bullet wound on his torso, which appeared to have pierced his lungs.

Chance was transported to the animal hospital, but has since been moved to the county animal shelter. Veterinarians say his x-rays show steady improvement.

San Diego's Cutest Critters

With the help of IV fluids, medications and an oxygen-rich chamber, Chance is on the mend, veterinarians said Friday.

In a Facebook message on the County's website, Chance said he is "feeling better every day."

"And I hear the people saying that bunch of families want me to live with them," Chance said in the Facebook post.

On Wednesday, the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians announced that they were donating $2,500 to help cover Chance's emergency expenses.

Chance's owner came forward last week and said he did not wish to keep Chance, and the county took over care, according to Animal Services.

Now, Crimestoppers and San Diego Animal Advocates are offering a $3,000 reward for information about the person who shot him.

Veterinarians placed him in an oxygen-rich kennel while his lungs heal from the gun wound.